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COP^T^lGHT DEPOSIT. 



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THE LEGEND OF ST. JULIANA 



TRANSLATED FROM THE LATIN 

OF THE ACTA SANCTORUM 

AND THE ANGLO-SAXON 

OF CYNEWULF 



BY 

CHARLES WILLIAM KENNEDY, M.A. 

Scribner Fellow in English Literature in Princeton 
University. 



PRINCETON 
The University Library 
X906 






LIBRARY of CONGRESS 
Two Coofes Received 

FEB 24 1906 

if C(W)yrl£ht ^m^ 




Copyright^ igo6 
by Charles William Kennedy 



PREFACE 



The legend of St. Juliana exists in various 
forms. Although these forms vary in details, 
all agree that a maiden named Juliana suffered 
martyrdom at the city of Nicomedia in the 
reign of Maximian, Roman Emperor from 
308-314. This material was used by Cynewulf 
in the eighth century in the Anglo-Saxon 
poem called Juliana, which was based upon the 
Latin prose version included, with accounts of 
numerous other saints, in the Acta Sanctorum. 
While more than eleven manuscripts of the 
Latin Juliana exist, and while the version 
printed by Holland, and reprinted by Professor 
William Strunk in the Belles-Lettres Edition 
of Cynewulf's poem, varies in many particu- 
lars from the Anglo-Saxon poem, it is unlikely 
that any Latin version will ever be found cor- 
responding exactly to the Anglo-Saxon. It is 
more likely that Cynewulf, in writing his poem, 
culled from the Latin legend such portions as 
he desired to use, than that he attempted to 
make a complete and literal translation. 

In rendering this legend into English I have 
followed the Anglo-Saxon and Latin texts 



printed by Professor Strunk in the Belles- 
Lettres edition. Owing to mutilation in the 
original text, contained in the Exeter Book, 
there are two breaks in the Anglo-Saxon nar- 
rative. 

In the Latin text I note three misprints. On 
page 36, line 3, read cogere for cogerem. On 
page 45, lines lo-ii, read carnem for carmen. 
On page 48, line 15, the repetition if in in 
Dominum is a misprint. 

I desire to express my thanks to Professor 
T. W. Hunt of Princeton University, at whose 
suggestion this translation was undertaken, for 
kindly criticism and advice, and to Dean 
Andrew F. West of the Princeton Graduate 
School, in this as in many other instances, for 
a ready and generous interest. 

C. W. K, 

Princeton, N. J., 
February, 1906. 



THE LEGEND ACCORDING TO 
THE ACTA SANCTORUM. 



I. 



How the holy Juliana, despising the 
wedlock of a heathen prefect, is sorely 
tortured by him and by her father. 

T^ HE mercy of our Saviour, rejoicing in the 
* steadfastness of the martyrs, hath come to 
this, that it hath crowned the followers of faith 
and cast out their enemies even from the gates 
of Hell. And so it came to pass that in the 
days of the Emperor Maximian, a persecutor 
of the Christian religion, there was a certain 
senator of the city of Nicomedia, Eleusius by 
name, a friend of the Emperor. He had es- 
poused a certain maiden sprung of noble fam- 
ily, Juliana by name. Her father was sur- 
named Africanus, and he was also a persecutor 
of the Christians. And although his wife, in 
the intent of her heart abhorred the sacri- 
legious worship of Mars, yet she consorted 
neither with the Christians nor the pagans. 
Moreover Juliana, being of a wise mind and an 
understanding heart, of worthy conversation 
and great virtue, pondered this, whether there 
be any true God who created Heaven and 



earth; and from day to day, being at leisure 
for prayer, resorted unto the church of God 
that she might learn the divine writings. Now 
Eleusius, her bethrothed, was fain to accom- 
plish the celebration of their marriage. But 
she said unto him, '' Unless thou hold the dig- 
nity of a prefect, I am in no wise able to be 
joined to thee." Hearing this Eleusius gave 
a gift unto the Emperor Maximian and suc- 
ceeded the other prefect, who was then ruling, 
and sat in the seat of authority, administering 
the duties of the prefecture. 

And after a few days had passed, he sent 
unto her anew. But Juliana, prudently de- 
laying the matter, said unto them, " Go and 
say unto Eleusius : ' If thou wilt believe in my 
God and wilt worship the Father and Son and 
Holy Ghost, I will receive thee as my husband. 
But if thou wilt not, seek unto thyself another 
wife.' " 

When the prefect heard these things, he 
called her father and told him all those words 
which Juliana had spoken unto him. And 
when her father heard, he said, " By the gods, 
who are kind and merciful unto men, if these 
words be true, I will deliver her to thee." And 



8 



with these words he went in great anger unto 
his daughter and spake with her saying, " My 
dearest daughter Juliana, light of mine eyes, 
why art thou not willing to receive this prefect 
who is bethrothed to thee? Behold I desire 
to accomplish your marriage with him/' The 
blessed Juliana, putting her trust in Christ, 
made answer, " If he will worship the Father 
and Son and Holy Ghost, I will marry him; 
but if he will not, he cannot receive me in 
marriage." Hearing this her father said,. 
" By the merciful gods, Apollo and Diana, if 
thou persist in this resolve, I will give thee 
over to the wild beasts." And Juliana replied, 
"Think not, my father, that I have fear of thee. 
By the Son of the living God, even if I must 
needs be burned alive, I will never yield to 
thee." Then again her father besought her that 
she submit unto him and not lose so great an 
honor. But Juliana replied, "Alas, father, 
thou dost not understand what I declare unto 
thee. I say truth and lie not, that I will gladly 
endure all torture and all judgments, nor will 
I turn aside from the teaching of my Lord 
Jesus Christ." And immediately her father 
bade that she be stripped and beaten, saying 



tinto her, " Why wilt thou not worship the 
^gods ? " But she cried out and said, '' I do 
ioot believe, nor will I worship nor sacrifice 
unto idols, deaf and dumb. But I worship my 
Lord Jesus Christ, who ever liveth and reign- 
eth in the heavens/' Then her father handed 
her over to that prefect, to whom she was be- 
trothed, to be tortured. 

Now the prefect bade that she be brought 
at daybreak before his seat of judgment, and, 
beholding her beauty, addressed her in sooth- 
ing words : '' Tell me, sweetest Juliana, why 
so long thou hast mocked me? Who hath 
persuaded thee to seek after a strange god? 
Turn unto me and avoid those tortures which 
are prepared for thee if thou wilt not sacrifice." 
But the blessed Juliana replied, " If thou wilt 
consent to worship God, the Father and Son 
and Holy Ghost, then will I yield to thee. But 
if thou wilt not, never shalt thou have domin- 
ion over me." The prefect made answer, 
" My lady Juliana, yield unto me and I will 
believe in thy God." And the blessed maid 
replied, " Receive the Spirit of God and I will 
wed thee." To which the prefect said, " I am 
not able, my lady. For if I do this thing, the 



lO 



Emperor will hear of it, and appoint a suc- 
cessor to me and strike off my head with the 
sword." But the holy JuHana responded, " If 
thou fear this emperor who is mortal and 
seated upon his dung-hill, how canst thou com- 
pel me to deny that Immortal Emperor from 
whom, by great allurements, thou mayest not 
beguile me? Work upon me those tortures 
which seem good to thee. For I believe in 
that God, in whom believed Abraham and 
Isaac and Jacob, nor were they confounded, 
for he is able to free me from thy torments.'' 

Hearing this the prefect was moved to anger, 
and bade that she be scourged. And when the 
holy Juliana had been stretched out upon the 
earth, he bade that she be scourged, in her 
nakedness, with four rods, so that three sol- 
diers should take their turn in scourging her. 
And after this the prefect bade them cease, and 
said unto her, " Behold the beginning of thy 
trial! Come hither and sacrifice unto great 
Diana, and thou shalt be freed from torture. 
But if thou wilt not, by the great god Apollo, 
I will not spare thee." And the holy Juliana 
replied, " Do not believe that, with these per- 
suasions, thou canst turn me from my Lord 



II 



/ 



Jesus Christ." Then the prefect ordered that 
she be hung by her hair. And when she had 
hung for six hours, she cried out and said, " O 
Christ, the Son of God, come and aid me ! " 
Then the prefect commanded that she be taken 
down, saying unto her, " Come hither, JuHana, 
and sacrifice, lest thou fail in this torture. For 
He, whom thou dost worship as God, will not 
be able to set thee free." Juliana answered 
and said, " Thou shalt not be able, wretched 
man, to overcome me with thy tortures. But 
I, in the name of my Lord Jesus Christ, will 
overcome thy cruel heart and will make thy 
father Satan to blush, and will find courage in 
the sight of my Lord Jesus Christ." But the 
prefect, moved to wrath, ordered that a vessel 
of brass be heated, and that she be stripped 
from her head even unto her feet, and thrust 
therein, and so burned. And when this was 
done it no wise harmed her. Then he bade 
that a thong be bound about her thighs, and 
that thus she be taken back into the prison. 

And when this had been done, the holy 
Juliana was cast into prison and began to say, 
"O Lord God Almighty ! My life is nigh unto 
its end. Strengthen me and hearken unto me 



12 



and pity me and those who stand grieving 
round about me, and show unto me Thy mercy, 
even as to all those who have been well pleas- 
ing unto Thee. And I pray Thee, Lord, do 
not Thou desert me because my father and my 
mother have forsaken me, but Thou, O Lord, 
my God, raise me up. And do not cast me 
forth from Thy sight nor forsake me in this 
time of sorrow, but preserve me in this torture, 
even as Thou didst save Daniel in the den of 
lions, and as Thou didst set free from the fur- 
nace of burning fire Hananiah, Azariah, and 
Mishael. And do Thou guard me in the short 
time of this life, and guide me into the haven 
of Thine intent, even as Thou didst lead the 
Children of Israel in their flight from Egypt, 
through the sea as though dry land; but the 
sea covered their enemies. So, O Lord ! deign 
to hear me and quench the wrath of this tyrant, 
who hath risen up against me, and destroy his 
power and will; for Thou, O Lord, knowest 
the nature of man, that it is not able to endure 
captivity. Be Thou, O God ! my present Aid 
and Helper in the tortures which this man, 
who regardeth not the precepts of Thy law, will 
bring upon me. And make that this prefect, a 



13 



partaker with devils, be brought to derision b^ 
me, and that he be consumed by worms, and 
afflicted with great sorrow, so that Thy might 
may be shown upon Thine handmaiden; for 
Thou alone art God and unto Thee do we 
ascribe the glory forever and ever. Amen." Jr i 

II. 

How a demon, urging the holy Juliana 
to wickedness, is scourged by her and 
haled away in bonds. 

And when she had finished her prayer, there- 
appeared unto her a demon, Belial by name, 
in the form of an angel, and said unto her,. 
" My dearest Juliana, the prefect is preparing 
for thee the most bitter torments. But only 
hearken unto me and thou shalt be saved. 
When he shall order thee to go forth from the 
prison, approach and sacrifice, and thou shalt 
escape the torture." And the holy Juliana 
thought that he was an angel of God, and said 
unto him, " Who art thou ? " The devil said 
unto her, " I am an angel of God. He sent me 
to thee that thou mightest sacrifice and not 
die." But Juliana with groans called most 



14 



bitterly upon God, and, lifting up her eyes 
unto Heaven, said with tears, " Lord God of 
Heaven and earth, do not forsake me nor suf- 
fer Thine handmaid to perish, but strengthen 
tny heart in Thy might and show unto me, who 
trust in Thy name, who is this that saith such 
things and urgeth me to worship idols." And 
immediately there came a voice unto her from 
Heaven saying, " Be of good cheer, Juliana, I 
who speak unto thee am with thee. Do thou 
lay hold on him who speaks unto thee that 
thou mayest know who he is.'' 

Then the holy Juliana arose from the ground 
and making the sign of Christ, laid hold upon 
Belial the demon/and said unto him, " Tell me 
who and whence thou art, or who sent thee 
unto me." Then the demon made answer, 
" Loose me, and I will tell thee." But the holy 
Juliana said, *' Do thou first tell me ; so will I 
let thee go." Then the devil began to say, '' I 
am the demon Belial, whom some call the 
Black Jopher, who am delighted with the 
wickedness of men, rejoicing in murder, a 
lover of debauchery, an embracer of strife, a 
dissolver of peace. I am he who made Adam 
and Eve to transgress in Paradise; who 



15 



y 



caused Cain to kill his brother Abel; who 
made all the substance of Job to vanish away. 
It was I who made the people of Israel to wor- 
ship idols in the desert, and the prophet Isaiah 
to be cut as wood to the saw; who caused 
Nebuchadnezzar, the king, to make an image, 
and the three youths to be cast into the furnace 
of blazing fire. I am he who caused Jerusa- 
lem to be burned and the children to be slain 
by Herod ; who made Judas to betray the Son 
of God, and I took possession of him, so that 
with a noose he made an end of his life/ I 
prodded a centurion to wound with his lance 
the side of the Son of God. I caused John to 
be beheaded by Herod. I declared by the 
mouth of Simon that Peter and Paul were 
sorcerers. It was I who entered in unto the 
Emperor Nero, so that he crucified Peter and 
beheaded Paul; and I caused Andrew to be 
betrayed in the land of Patras. All these and 
many things more grievous have I accom- 
plished with my brothers." 

The blessed Juliana said, "Who sent thee 

unto me ? " And the demon replied, " My 

i father Satan.'y The holy Juliana said, ''And 

\l how is thy father called ? " The demon re- 

i6 



plied, " Beelzebub."/ The holy Juliana asked, * 
'* What is his work ? " and the demon made 
answer, " He is the contriver of all wickedness. 
For straightway when we stand before him, he 
bids us make trial of the souls of the faithful.'" 
The holy Juliana said, "And if he shall be 
overcome by a follower of Christ, what does 
he suffer ? " The demon made answer, " He 
suffers bitter and most terrible punishment. 
For if we are sent against a just man to per- 
vert him, and if we are not able, we are not 
received into his sight by whom we are sent. 
But when we are sought for by him and are 
not found, he bids other demons that, when 
that messenger shall be found, he be evilly en- 
treated by them ; then he flees away and is in 
no wise able to be come upon. Therefore we 
must needs do that which he bids, and hearken 
unto him even as unto a loving parent." The 
holy Juliana said, " To what just works do ye 
set forth, tell me this." And the demon re- 
plied, " Behold, my lady, I will tell unto thee 
all things, that thou mayest know truth from 
me, how I came hither with evil intent unto 
thee, and thought to induce thee to sacrifice 
and to deny thy God. So we enter in unto all 
men, both I and my brothers. 



17 



*'And when we find any man to remain wise 
in the work of the Lord, we cause him to seek 
after many lusts, turning his mind unto those 
things which we set before him, and causing 
blindness in his thoughts; nor do we suffer 
him to persevere either in prayer or in any 
good thing. And again, if we behold some 
men resorting unto the church and afflicting 
themselves for their sins and desirous of hear- 
ing the Divine Scriptures, that they may re- 
tain some part of them, immediately we enter 
into their homes and do not permit them to 
accomplish any good thing. And we instil 
into their hearts many opinions. But if any 
one of them shall be able to overcome us, and 
shall turn aside from his vain thoughts and go 
to prayer, and to listen unto the Holy Scrip- 
tures, and to partake of the divine sacrament, 
we are cast headlong into flight by that man. 
For when Christians partake of the divine 
sacrament, from that hour we withdraw from 
them. For we have no care of any matter 
except only to corrupt men who live right- 
eously. And if we behold them accomplishing 
any good thing, we bring bitter thoughts upon 
them, so that they may follow after our de- 
sires." 



i8 



The holy Juliana said, " Unclean spirit, in 
what manner dost thou presume to thrust thy- 
self among Christians? " The demon replied, 
" Do thou also tell me in what manner thou 
hast dared to lay hold on me, except because 
thou dost put thy trust in Christ. So also I 
trust in my father, who is the author of evil 
deeds, and those things which he desires I do. 
Many an evil have I attempted to accomplish, 
and sometimes the ways of my desire have 
prospered. But now, with what misfortune 
have I been sent hither unto thee! Would I 
had never seen thee ! Alas, what misery do I 
bring upon myself ! Wherefore did my father 
not perceive what the event would be? Do 
thou loose me, that perchance it may be per- 
mitted me to go unto another place. For I 
will accuse thee unto my father, and it will not 
be well with thee." Then the holy Juliana 
bound his hands behind his back and placed 
him upon the earth, and seizing one of the 
thongs wherewith she had been bound, she 
scourged that demon. Then the demon cried 
out beseeching her, and saying, " My lady 
Juliana, beloved by the apostles, consort of 
martyrs, companion of the patriarchs and 



19 



friend of angels, I adjure thee by the passion 
of the Lord Jesus Christ to have pity upon my 
misery." 

The holy Juliana said unto him, " Wilt thou 
confess, unclean spirit, to what man thou hast 
worked an injury?" The demon made ans- 
wer, " I have blinded the eyes of many ; the 
feet of others have I destroyed; some I cast 
into the fire; some I hanged; some I made to 
belch their blood ; others I plunged into the sea. 
Some I made to end their lives by violence, and 
others to torture themselves in their madness 
by their own hands; and in short, all evils 
which are in the world are accomplished by 
my design, and I myself perform them; and 
others, whom I found without the sign of 
Christ, I slew. And when I did all these 
wrongs, no one dared to torture me as thou 
hast done. No one of the apostles laid hold 
upon my hand ; but thou hast even bound me. 
No one of the martyrs beat me ; no one of the 
prophets wrought upon me those injuries 
which I endure from thee. No one of the 
^ patriarchs laid hand upon me. ^But I even 
^ made trial of the Son of God in the desert, 
and made Him to ascend into an high moun- 



20 



tain; and unto me He did nothing, and dost 
thou thus rack me with torments ? O Virgin- 
ity, against us what armour dost thou bear! 
O holy John ! why hast thou revealed thy vir- 
ginity against us ? " / 

And as the demon spake, the prefect bade 
them bring Juliana from prison unto him. 
And the holy Juliana, as she was being led 
thither, haled with her that demon. But the 
demon besought her, saying, "My lady Juliana, 
loose me ; do not longer make me a scorn unto 
men, for never afterwards will I be able to 
overcome mankind. Thou hast conquered my 
father, and vanquished me ; what further dost 
thou wish? The unbelievers say that the 
Christians are merciful, but thou unto me hast 
seemed most bitter.'' And as the demon de- 
clared these things, Juliana dragged him 
through the forum. And when he had be- 
sought her for a long time, she cast him fortb 
into a place filled with dung. 

III. 

How the holy Juliana, having been tor- 
tured in divers ways, is beheaded; and 
how one hundred and thirty are converted 
by her ; and how her body is translated. 



21 



V 



/ 



And as she came within the hall of the gov- 
ernor, her countenance seemed glorious unto* 
all. And when the prefect had gazed upon 
her, he beheld her with admiration and said,. 
" Tell me, Juliana, who hath taught thee such 
things? In what manner hast thou overcome 
by secret spells so great torment ? " The holy- 
Juliana replied, '' Hearken unto me, thou most 
impious prefect, and I will tell thee. My Lord 
Jesus Christ hath taught me to worship the 
Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost, and 
He himself hath vanquished Satan, thy father, 
and his demons, and sent from His holy throne 
His angel for an aid and comfort unto me. 
But thou, unhappy wretch, art ignorant that 
everlasting torments are being stored up for 
thee, when thou shalt have torture without 
end, the worm that devoureth and faileth not, 
and eternal darkness. Repent, unhappy man.. 
For our Lord Jesus Christ is merciful and 
mild, and willeth that all men should be saved ; 
and He giveth repentance of salvation and the 
remission of sins." 

Then the prefect bade that an iron wheel be 
brought and sharpened swords fixed therein^ 
and that the maid be stretched upon this wheel,. 



22 



in such wise that the wheel might stand be- 
tween two pillars, with four soldiers upon the 
one side and other four upon the other side. 
And the soldiers dragged the wheel and there- 
on held Juliana. And as they dragged they 
moved this engine, and the fair body of the 
virgin of Christ was cleft in all its members 
and the marrow gushed out from her bones; 
and all the wheel was stained therewith, and 
a fire raged furiously with flame. But the 
blessed Juliana stood unmoved in the belief 
of Christ with broken body, but unbroken A 
faithy/And an angel of the Lord descended ' 
from Heaven and put out the fire; and her 
bonds were loosed by the flame. 
/But the holy Juliana, standing without sor- J y 
row, glorified God and, lifting her hands unto 
Heaven with tears and groaning, began to 
pray thus : " Lord God Almighty, who alone 
hast immortality, the Giver of life. Creator of 
all ages, who didst stretch out the heavens 
with Thy hands, and didst lay the foundations 
of the world, and with Thy hands didst mould 
man; Planter of paradise and of the tree of 
life and Ruler of the race of men; Thou 
for kindness didst free Lot from Sodom and 



23 



didst bless Jacob and loose Joseph from the 
hatred of his brothers ; he was sold into Egypt 
and Thou didst grant unto him especial honor ; 
Thou didst send Thy servant Moses into 
Egypt, and didst preserve him from the hand 
of Pharaoh, and didst lead Thy people through 
the Red Sea after the likeness of dry land; 
Thou didst subdue the race of the heathen 
and lay low the giant Goliath by the hand of 
Thy holy youth David, and didst lift up David 
upon the throne; Thou by the Virgin didst 
take upon Thee flesh and wast beheld by shep- 
herds ; Thou art magnified by angels and glori- 
fied by the Magi ; Thou hast raised up the dead 
and gathered together the Apostles and bade 
them proclaim Thy kingdom; Thou wast be- 
trayed by Judas and crucified in the flesh and 
buried in the earth, and after Thy resurrec- 
tion wast seen by Thy disciples and ascended 
into Heaven; Thou, when Thy apostles were 
scattered throughout the world, didst grant 
Thy knowledge unto all believers; Thou art 
the safety of those who perish, and the road 
unto those who stray ; a refuge for the weary ; 
the one mighty and only true God, whom no 
one but in righteousness can worship; I give 



24 



Thee thanks, O God of all ! who hast deigned 
to raise me up, unworthy and sinful, into Thy 
help. And I pray, O Lord! that Thou deign 
to free me from the malice of this tyrant, so 
that he, with his father Satan, may be utterly 
ashamed. And unto Thee will I ascribe the 
glory forever and ever." 

And as she said "Amen," her torturers of the 
people of Nicomedia cried out, " There is one 
Almighty God of the holy maiden Juliana, and 
save Him there is no other God. We repent, 
O Prefect! that hitherto, even until now, we 
have been led into error." And all with one 
voice said, " Unto Thee, O Lord ! we flee for 
refuge ; let it suffice us that hitherto, even unto 
this day, we have erred. Henceforth we will 
put our trust in that God whom Juliana wor- 
ships." And turning to their ruler they said, 
" May all the gods of the heathen perish, and 
let all who worship idols be overcome. And 
do thou, impious prefect, work torture upon 
us; let us be in punishment who even until 
now have worshipped idols. Kindle a fire 
and consider the works of thy father. But 
we now choose to have the Lord Jesus Christ 
as our father, because many a season have we 



25 



been afflicted by thy father, the Devil/' But 
the prefect, overcome by wrath, reported all 
these sayings to the Emperor Maximian. And 
the Emperor Maximian gave judgment against 
them that their heads be struck off. And he 
bade that all at one time be smitten with the 
sword. And there were beheaded, men and 
women, one hundred and thirty. 

Then the prefect bade that the holy Juliana 
be burned alive. And when Juliana heard this, 
stretching her hands unto Heaven, she said 
with tears, " Lord God Almighty, do not de- 
sert me, neither depart from me, nor cast me 
forth from Thy sight. Be Thou my Helper 
and free me from this torment and blot out 
my sins, whatsoever I have sinned, whether in 
word or in thought. O Lord my God, who 
art merciful and just, have pity upon me, that 
A^ this tyrant Eleusius, my enemy, may not say, 
/ ^ Where is now her God ?^ For Thou art a 
God blessed forevermore." And as she prayed 
thus, behold suddenly there came an angel of 
the Lord, and parted the flame and scattered 
the fire. And the holy Juliana, standing un- 
harmed, glorified God in the flame. 

But the prefect raged against her even as an 
evil beast, pondering what torture he might 

26 



inflict upon her. Then bade he that an earthen 
vessel be brought and lead placed therein, and 
that it be set upon a raging flame. And when it 
had been placed there, it became as it were a 
bath well tempered, and it leapt forth from the 
vessel and burned, of those men who stood 
about, seventy-five. And when the prefect 
beheld this, he rent his garments and with 
groanings blasphemed his gods, because they 
were unable to hurt her, and because, though 
she had wrought an injury unto them, they in 
no wise might do her harm. And immediately 
he proclaimed against her this judgment, that 
she be slain with a sword. 

Now when she heard this, the holy Juliana 
was filled with great joy, because the end of 
her strife was nigh at hand. And as she was 
being haled unto that place where she was to 
be beheaded, the demon, who had been tor- 
tured by her, suddenly came running unto the 
ruler and said unto him, " Do thou not spare 
her. She has blasphemed the gods and 
wrought an injury unto men. Many evils also 
have I endured at her hands. Grant unto her 
therefore that which she deserves." But the 
holy Juliana for a little space opened her eyes. 



27 



that she might see who it was that said these 
things. Then the demon cried out in fear and 
said, "Alas, woe is me! perchance now a 
second time she would seize me." And imme- 
diately he vanished and, fleeing, became dumb. 
And when she had been led unto the place 
where she was to be beheaded, she began to 
say unto those who had been converted to the 
faith and to the other Christians who were 
present, '^ My fathers and mothers, hearken 
unto me and repent that ye did sacrifice to 
devils ; and build your house upon a firm rock, 
lest strong winds corne and ye be destroyed. 
But pray ever without ceasing in the holy 
church and be mindful of the Holy Scriptures, 
and love one another, and God will grant unto 
you to find mercy in the sight of His saints. It 
is a good thing to be watchful before God ; it 
is a good thing ever to sing praises; it is a 
good thing to pray without ceasing, for ye 
know not when ye may lay down your life. 
And I ask that ye pray for me that my Lord 
Jesus Christ may deem me worthy and accept- 
able, and deign to admit me. His humble hand- 
maiden, into His holy presence. And may He 
provide for the course of my strife that my 



28 



enemy may not overcome me." And when 
she had given her peace unto all, again she 
prayed to the Lord, saying, "Lord God, 
Father of all. Lover of faith, who dost not be- 
tray Thine image into the power of Thine 
enemies, have mercy upon me and aid me and 
receive my spirit in peace, O Lord ! " And as 
she said this in her prayer she was beheaded. 

And after a little space a certain Sephronia, 
the wife of a senator, passing through the city 
of Nicomedia and coming to the city of Rome, 
bore the body of the blessed Juliana, wrapping 
it in spices and costly linen. But when they 
were approaching the city a mighty storm 
arose, and the ship was driven even to the 
borders of Campania. And there the blessed 
Juliana was buried near the fields of Puteoli, 
where she has a tomb one mile from the sea. 

But when the prefect set sail to his suburban 
villa, there came a mighty tempest and wrecked 
his ship and twenty-four men died ; and when 
the waves had tossed their bodies upon a de- 
serted shore, they were devoured by the birds 
and the wild beasts. Now the blessed Juliana 
suffered on the fourteenth day before the Kal- 
ends of March at the hands of the prefect 



29 



Eleusius, in the reign of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, to whom be glory forever and forever* 
Amen. 



30 



THE LEGEND ACCORDING TO THE 
JULIANA OF CYNEWULF. 



Behold we have heard warriors tell and men 
of valor declare that which happened in the 
days of Maximian, the profane king, the hea- 
then war-chief, who throughout the world 
stirred up persecution, killed Christian men,, 
destroyed churches, and poured out the holy 
blood of righteous worshipers of God upon the 
grassy plain. His kingdom was broad, power- 
ful, and mighty over the nations, almost over 
all the spacious earth. Among the cities went, 
as he bade, his mighty thanes; oft they com- 
mitted violence, misled in their deeds, they who 
despised the law of the Lord in their sinful 
might. Deeds of hatred they performed, in 
that they exalted idolatry, slew holy men, de- 
stroyed those learned in the Scriptures, burned 
chosen men and persecuted the champions of 
God with spear and fire. 

There was a rich man of noble lineage, a 
powerful prefect. And he did wield it over 
shield-cities and ever defended the land and, in 
the camp of Nicomedia, kept his treasure. Oft 
with zeal he prayed unto the heathen idols con- 
trary to the word of God. His name was 



32 



called Eleusius and he had mighty and illustri- 
ous dominion. Then did his heart begin to 
lust after a maid Juliana, and desire overcame 
him. But she in her heart cherished holy- 
faith, and was greatly minded that she would 
preserve her purity unspotted of any sin for 
the love of Christ. 

Then was the maid after the will of her 
father betrothed unto this rich man. Nor 
did he know fully her destiny how she, young 
in heart, despised his friendship. For the fear 
of God was more in her thoughts than all the 
treasure that lay in the possession of that 
prince. Then was the wealthy one, this man 
rich in treasure, fain in his heart of the nup- 
tials, that the maid should straightway be made 
ready unto him, the bride unto his home. Yet 
did she strive steadfastly against the love of 
this man, although he possessed treasure in the 
treasure-chest, vast wealth of jewels through- 
out the world. All this she despised and thus 
spake in the assembly of men : 

" I say unto thee that thou needst not more 
heavily afflict thyself. For if thou dost love 
and believe in the true God and dost observe 
His worship, then dost thou understand the 



33 



spirit of God and quickly, yea without waver- 
ing, will I yield unto thy will. Likewise de- 
clare I unto thee that if thou dost put thy trust 
in any lesser God through idolatry and dost 
promise heathen tribute, then mayest thou not 
have me, nor by compulsion take me to wife. 
Nor ever through harsh anger shalt thou pre- 
pare such mighty pain of cruel torture that 
thou mayest turn me from these words." 

Then was the prince smitten with anger, 
stained with sinful deeds, hearing the words 
of the maid, and he bade swift messengers 
summon speedily to the council the sire of the 
holy maid, rough and blind of heart. Their 
words poured forth when they together leaned 
their spears, these warriors. Heathen were 
they both, sick with sin, father-in-law and son- 
in-law. Then spake the shepherd of the king- 
dom, the spear bearer, with fierce heart unto 
the sire of the maid. 

*' Thy daughter hath shown me dishonor for 
that she saith unto me outright that she will 
not heed my love, my affection. Most painful 
unto me in heart are these insults, that she so 
grievously before this people hath assailed me 
with censure, bidding me that with tribute I 



34 



worship a strange God above that one whom 
formerly we knew, that I praise Him in my 
speech and honor Him in my heart, or gain 
her never/' 

Then waxed wroth the fierce sire of the 
maid, and he did swear according to this word 
and disclose his heart : 

" I do swear by the true gods that as ever I 
shall find mercy at their hands or favor at 
thine, O Prince! in the joyous cities, that if 
these words be true, O Dearest of men ! which 
thou sayest unto me, that in no wise will I be 
sparing unto her; but I will give her over to 
destruction, noble Prince, and into thy power. 
And do thou adjudge her unto death, if unto 
thee it shall seem fitting, or do thou leave unto 
her life, as may be dearer to thee." 

Then went he to speak unto the damsel, 
resolute and wroth, smitten with anger, where 
he, that illustrious one, knew the young maid 
to keep her abode. Thus spake he unto her : 

" Thou art my daughter, the dearest and 
sweetest in my heart, the only one upon earth, 
light of mine eyes, Juliana. Thou hast in thy 
folly, through thy vain hostility, undertaken 
a course contrary to the judgment of the coun- 



35 



cilors. Overmuch dost thou oppose thy bride- 
groom with thine opinion, who is higher than 
thou, nobler in the land, richer in treasure. 
And as a friend he is kind. Therefore is it 
fitting that thou alone should never put aside 
the affection of this man, his undying love.'' 

Then to him made answer the blessed Juli- 
ana (for steadfastly had she established her 
affection upon God) : 

" Never will I consent to the alliance of this 
prince until that he worship mighty God more 
earnestly than he aforetime did, and love with 
sacrifices Him who created light. Heaven and 
earth, and the compass of the seas, and the 
circle of dwellings. Nor in any other wise 
may he bring me to his home. But with his 
treasure he shall seek out bridal love at the 
gift of another maid, nor here shall he ever 
obtain it." 

Then in anger wrathfuUy her father made 
answer, and by no means did he offer unto her 
adornments : 

" I shall bring it about, if my life endure, 
that if thou do not first leave off this folly, and 
if that thou worship strange gods and forsake 
those who are dearer unto us, who stand for 

36 



an help unto this people, that thou, quickly 
paying with thy life, shalt die in the clutch of 
beasts, unless thou wilt yield to submission 
and the union of this brave man. Great is 
that undertaking and terrible for one like 
thee, that thou despise our lord/' 

To him the blessed Juliana, wise and dear 
to God, made answer, " Unto thee will I speak 
truth; as I live, I will not work a lie. In no 
wise do I fear me for thy judgments, nor are 
tortures grievous unto me, nor the terrors of 
death which thou, with malice dost threateit 
unto me; nor ever shalt thou accomplish it 
through thy snares that thou turn me from the 
love of Christ.'' 

Then he was furious, maddened and wrath- 
ful, savage and merciless, the sire against the 
maid ; and he bade that they scourge her, con- 
strain her with torture, afflict her with tor- 
ments and thus spake he : " Turn thee in mind 
and change these words which thou spakest in 
thy folly aforetime when thou didst despise the 
worship of our gods." 

To him Juliana, unfearful in heart, with 
spiritual understanding gave answer : " Never 
shalt thou teach me that I give tribute unto de- 
ceptions, unto idols dumb and deaf, the foes of 



37 



the spirit — ^to these worst of the disciples of 
torment. But I worship the Lord of Heaven, 
of the earth and of glory, and to Him alone do 
I entrust all things, that He may become my 
Guardian, my Helper and my Saviour against 
the foes of Hell." 

Then did Africanus, her father, in anger 
give over the maid to Eleusius, into the power 
of her enemies. He bade that at daybreak, 
after the coming of light, she be led to his 
judgment seat. And the warriors marveled 
at the beauty of the maid, all the people to- 
gether. Then did the prince, her bridegroom, 
first greet her in joyous words. 

" My sweetest sunlight Juliana, what radi- 
ance thou hast, what generous grace and 
bloom of youth ! Even yet if thou wilt make 
propitiation unto our gods and seek protection 
at their merciful hands, favor at the hands of 
the holy ones, shall countless numbers of tor- 
ments, cruelly contrived, be warded off from 
thee; of terrible injuries which are prepared if 
that thou wilt not sacrifice unto the true gods." 

But unto him the noble maid gave answer, 
" Never shalt thou prevail with thy threats, 
nor prepare so many cruel torments, that I 

38 



should love thy fellowship, except that thou 
forsake these lies, this worshipping of idols, 
and understand wisely the God of glory, the 
Creator of spirits, the Lord of mankind, in 
whose might are all creatures forever without 
end." 

Then merciless in heart he spake boastful 
words before that people, and waxed exceed- 
ing wrathful, he, the lord of the people. Then 
bade he with hateful cruelty that they stretch 
out the maid in nakedness and scourge her, 
free of guilt, with scourges. Then did the 
warrior laugh and spake insults. 

"This is the dominion in our strife taken in its 
beginning. Yet will I grant thee life, although 
thou didst speak many a rash word aforetime, 
and didst overmuch resist to love the true 
gods. Unto thee in thy perversity shall after- 
wards be the rewards of torture, except that 
thou first be reconciled unto them and offer 
to them acceptable sacrifice after thy wicked 
words, and establish thy peace. Let strife 
cease and hateful combat. But if thou longer 
after this, through thy folly, pursued after de- 
lusions, then needs must I, compelled by en- 
mity, punish thy blasphemy in the crudest 



39 



wise, thy bitter words of insult, when thou 
didst begin with blasphemy to strive against 
the happiest and the most merciful of those 
gods whom men know, and whom the people 
long have worshipped." 

But unafraid in heart the noble maid gave 
answer: " Neither do I fear me for thy judg- 
ments, accursed persecutor, nor for the evil o£ 
thy torments. But I have for my hope the 
Ruler of Heaven, a merciful Protector, the 
Lord of might, who doth defend me against 
thy delusions, from the clutch of monsters 
which thou dost hold as gods. They are profit- 
less of every good thing, empty, useless, and 
vain, nor in them may any man find comfort or 
true peace; although he do seek unto himself 
friendship, never will he find virtue among 
devils. But I have established my heart upon 
my Lord, who in all might ruleth eternally. 
He is the Possessor of glory and of all victory ; 
He is the true King." 

Then did it seem grievous unto the governor 
that in no wise might he turn the heart — ^the 
purpose of the maid. And he bade that they 
seize her by the hair and hang her unto an 
high tree, where the sun-bright damsel en- 



40 



dured stripes, cruel torture six hours of that 
day; and that cruel persecutor straightway 
bade that they take her down again, and lead 
her unto prison. But the love of Christ was 
fast bound in her mind, and in her gentle 
heart a strength not to be broken. 

II. 

Then was the door of the prison fastened 
with a bolt, the work of the hammer. And 
within the holy maid endured faithful; and 
ever in the prison, covered with darkness, in 
her heart she praised the King of glory, the 
Lord of Heaven, the Saviour of men. And 
the Holy Ghost was a constant companion 
unto her. Then suddenly came into the prison 
the Enemy of mankind, skilled in evil ; and he 
had the form of an angel. Wise was he in 
afflictions, this enemy of the soul, this captain 
of Hell, and unto the holy maid he said, " Why 
sufferest thou who art most dear and precious 
unto the King of glory, our God? This judge 
hath prepared for thee the worst tortures, 
torment without end, if thou wilt not pru- 
dently sacrifice and make propitiation unto his 



41 



gods. Be thou in haste when he bids thee be 
led outward hence, that thou make a sacrifice, 
an offering of victory, before that death come 
upon thee, death in the presence of the war- 
riors. In this wise shalt thou survive the 
anger of this judge, O blessed maid ! '* 

But straightway did she, acceptable unto 
Christ, who was in no wise afraid, ask whence 
he was come. And the outcast made answer 
unto her, " I am an angel of God, come from 
above. His noble follower sent unto thee in 
holiness from the heavens. For thee cruel 
tortures with woeful wounds are prepared in 
punishment. The Lord bids thee, child of 
God, that thou avert them." 

Then was the maid stricken with terror for 
the fearful message which the minister, the 
enemy of Heaven, declared unto her. And 
steadfastly in her youth and innocence she be- 
gan to strengthen her heart and call upon 
God. 

*' Now, O Protector of man. Eternal and 
Almighty! do I entreat Thee by that noble 
creation which Thou, the Father of angels, 
didst establish in the beginning, that Thou let 
me not turn aside from the praise of Thy 



42 



grace, as this messenger who stands before me 
declareth unto me — a dreadful message. Like- 
wise, O Innocent One ! I do entreat Thee that 
Thou make known unto me, O Thou Glory of 
kings, Thou God of splendor, who this flying 
minister may be, that he doth urge me away 
from Thee upon the down-hill road ! '' 

Then unto her spake a glorious voice from 
the clouds and uttered this word : " Do thou 
seize this vile one and hold him fast, till that he 
rightly declare unto thee his purpose, even 
from the beginning what his kinship may be." 
And the heart of the glorious maid was glad ; 
and she seized upon that devil. 

H:*******"|-Q deliver up to 
death the King of all kings. And I wrought 
that the warrior wounded the Lord of Hosts 
while the army gazed upon it, until that blood 
and water together fell to the ground. I stir- 
red up Herod in heart that he gave order to 
behead John for that he reproved with words 
his love of wife, his unrighteous wedlock. 
Also with malice I taught Simon, so that he 
began to strive against the chosen followers 
of Christ and with shame assailed those 



43 



holy men, saying that they were wizards. 
With sharp wiles I dared to delude Nero so 
that he bade the followers of Christ, Peter and 
Paul, be given over unto death. By my teach- 
ings did Pilate formerly hang upon the cross 
the Ruler of the Heavens, the mighty Lord. 
In like wise also did I incite Hegias, so that he 
in his folly bade the holy Andrew to be hanged 
to an high tree and sent forth his spirit from 
the gallows in a splendor of glory. Thus 
among my brothers I wrought many a deed of 
evil, of black sin, which I may not tell, nor 
fully relate nor know the countless number of 
my cruel malicious thoughts." 

Then by the grace of the Holy Ghost the 
blessed Juliana spake unto him : ** More fully 
yet, Enemy of man, shalt thou disclose thine 
errand, who sent thee unto me." 

And unto her the monster gave answer, 
fearful, discovered, without hope of peace: 
'''Behold, my father, the king of the inhabit- 
ants of Hell, sent me hither from that narrow 
home on this journey unto thee. And he in 
that abode of misery is more eager in every 
evil than I. When he sendeth us that we, 
through deceit, pervert the hearts of the right- 



44 



eous and turn them from salvation, we are sad 
in heart, fearful in mind. Nor is he a merci- 
ful lord unto us, but a terrible prince; and if 
we have done no evil, then dare we not go any- 
where in his presence. But he sendeth forth 
his ministers of darkness throughout the spaci- 
ous earth, and commandeth them that they 
stir up violence, and if we are to be found upon 
the earthly path or are come upon far or near, 
that they bind us and scourge us in torments 
of fire. And if through corruptions we per- 
vert not the souls of the righteous, the hearts 
of the holy, then suffer we the hardest and 
most terrible punishments through painful 
blows. Now mayest thou know truly in thy 
heart that I unto this boldness was needs com- 
pelled, time and again afflicted, that I seek thee 
out." 

Then still did the holy maid purpose to 
question the Enemy of man, the doer of evil^ 
the contriver of sin : " Thou shalt more fully 
tell me, thou enemy of souls, how thou through 
falling into sin dost work grievous harm unto 
the righteous, encompassed round about with 
malice." 



45 



Unto her the fiend replied, the faithless out- 
cast, " I may easily make known unto thee the 
beginning of every evil, even unto the end, of 
those which I on many a journey have wrought 
with wounds of sin, that thou mayest thus 
more clearly know that this is truth and in no 
wise false. For I hoped and counted it certain 
in my heart that without difficulty I might by 
my strength alone turn thee from salvation, so 
that thou shouldst withstand the King of 
Heaven, the Lord of victories, and bow down 
unto lesser gods and sacrifice unto the Prince 
of evil. Thus in varied forms do I pervert the 
mind of the righteous man. When I find him 
to establish his heart upon the will of God, then 
am I at once ready so that against him I bring 
manifold vices of the mind, cruel thoughts, 
and secret errors. Through a multitude of 
snares I make sweet unto him the pleasures of 
sin, wicked desires of the heart, so that he, 
quickly given over unto unrighteousness, 
hearkeneth unto my teachings. And I griev- 
ously inflame him with sin, so that he, burning, 
doth cease from prayer and walketh insolently, 
nor may he steadfastly remain longer in the 
place of prayer, for the love of his sin. So I 



46 



bring hateful terror unto that man to whom I 
begrudge Hfe and a clear belief. And he wil- 
fully doth hearken unto my teachings and 
commit sin and afterward, deprived of virtue, 
he slippeth away. But if I meet any cour- 
ageous man, a valiant champion of the Lord 
against the sting of my arrows, who will not 
flee far thence from the battle, but bold in 
heart lifteth his shield against me, his holy 
buckler, a spiritual armour; who will not de- 
sert his God, but, bold in prayer, standeth at 
bay in his course, then shall I flee away from 
that place, humiliated, cut oflf from joy, and in 
the embrace of fire lament my sorrows, that I 
might not in battle, by cunning of strength, 
overcome. But I shall wretchedly seek out 
another less powerful man, under the banners 
of a slower champion, whom I may arouse by 
my incitements and impede in the warfare. 
And though spiritually he purpose some good 
thing, I am at once ready to read his every 
secret thought, to observe how his heart is in- 
wardly strengthened, and how his resistance 
is wrought. And I, through sins, open the gate 
of this wall. When the tower is pierced, the 
entrance laid open, then I send into his breast 



47 



by my arrows bitter thoughts, through various 
desires of the heart, so that it seemeth better 
to him to accomplish sins and lusts of the body, 
contrary to the worship of God. I am an 
eager teacher that he may live after my evil 
fashions, turned openly from the law of Christ, 
corrupted in heart, for me to rule in the pit o£ 
sins. In this man I care more eagerly for the 
destruction of the spirit than of the fleshy, 
which in a grave, hidden in the earth, shall be- 
come in the world a pleasure to the worm." 

Then again the maid spake : " Tell me^ 
misshapen, unclean spirit, inciter of evils, how 
thou didst force thyself into the company of 
the more pure. Thou of old unfaithful didst 
strive and contend against Christ, and didst 
plot against the holy. The pit of Hell was 
digged below thee and there, driven by misery, 
for thy pride, thou didst seek out an abode. I 
deemed that thou wouldst be more wary and 
less bold in such an encounter against the 
righteous man, who through the King of glory 
hath oft withstood thy will." And the miser- 
able, cursed monster replied unto her and said, 
" Do thou first tell me how thou bravely, by 
deep thought, became thus bold in combat be- 



48 



yond all womankind, so that thou hast thus 
firmly bound me with fetters, wholly power- 
less to resist. Thou didst put thy trust in the 
eternal God sitting in glory, the Lord of man- 
kind, as I establish my hope upon my father, 
the ruler of the dwellers in Hell ; and when I 
am sent forth against the righteous man, that 
in evil deed I may. pervert his heart and turn 
his soul from salvation, at times through re- 
sistance my will is denied to me, my hope at 
the hands of the holy, just as sorrow here 
came upon me in my journey. This I myself 
perceive, but far too late. Now shall I long, 
because of this evil-doing, suffer shame. There- 
fore I entreat thee by the might of the Most 
High, by the grace of the King of Heaven, 
who suffered upon the cross, the Prince of 
glory, that thou pity me in my distress, that I 
may not wholly perish miserably, though I 
boldly and thus foolhardily sought thee on 
this journey, when I aforetime expected no 
such plight as this.'' 

Then the fair candle of splendor said unto 
that traitor, " Thou shalt confess more deeds 
of evil, thou base spirit of Hell, ere thou 
mayest go hence; what many deeds of wick- 



49 



edness thou hast accomplished with thy dark 
delusions for an injury to the children of men." 
And to her the Devil made answer: " Now 
do I hear by thy utterance that I, com- 
pelled by hatred, must needs lay bare my 
heart as thou biddest me and endure compul- 
sion. This plight is full hard, this calamity 
measureless. I shall suffer and endure every- 
thing in thy judgment, disclose the dark deeds 
of evil which I long have accomplished. Oft 
I took away sight and blinded countless num- 
bers of the children of men with evil thoughts ; 
and covered with a veil of mist, through a 
poisonous breath, and with dark showers the 
light of the eye; and I destroyed the feet of 
some with snares. Some I sent into the fire, 
into the embrace of the flames, which was the 
last visible sign of their footsteps. Also for 
some I wrought it that their bodies spurted 
blood, and they suddenly gave forth their life 
through an outpouring of the veins. Some by 
my might, upon the sea were drowned in the 
waters, upon their course on the ocean stream, 
under the raging flood. Some I gave over to 
the cross, so that they miserably laid down 
their lives upon the high gallows. Some I 



50 



induced by my evil devices to commit strife, so 
that they suddenly renewed old quarrels, drunk 
with beer. I poured out to them discord from 
the cup, so that they in the wine-hall, through 
the clash of swords, gave forth their lives from 
the body and, dcome(J to death, hastened away, 
visited with pains. Some whom I found with- 
out God's token, neglected and unblessed, 
these I boldly slew with various deaths at my 
hands with malice. I may not tell, although I 
sit a long summer day, all the sorrows which I 
before and since through treachery have ac- 
complished, since first the heavens were lifted 
up, and the path of the stars and the earth es- 
tablished, and the first men, Adam and Eve, 
whom I deprived of life and taught them, so 
that they forsook the love of the Lord of 
Hosts, eternal grace and the bright prosperity 
of the home ; and misery came upon them both 
forever, and upon their children — darkest of 
evil deeds. Why should I recount more of 
endless evil? I have brought forth all fierce 
crimes throughout the nations, which came to 
pass in the long ages from the beginning of 
the world, for mankind, for men upon earth. 
No one of these there was, who dared thus 



51 



boldly, as thou hast now dared in thy holiness 
to touch me with thy hands ; no man thus cour- 
ageous upon earth in holy might, no one of the 
patriarchs, nor of the prophets; although the 
Lord of Hosts, the King of glory, revealed 
unto them a spirit of wisdom and measureless 
grace, yet might I have approach unto them. 
No one of them so boldly covered me with 
bonds, or afHicted me with woes, before thou 
didst overcome and lay firm hold upon that 
great power which my father, the Enemy of 
mankind, gave unto me when he, my prince, 
bade me go from out the darkness, that I 
might make sweet unto thee sin. Then sor- 
row came upon me and heavy strife. After 
this sore distress I may not rejoice over this 
journey in the company of my fellows, when I 
miserably in my mournful home shall render 
up the penalty." 

Then the prefect, that cruel man, bade that 
Juliana, pure in heart, be led out from that 
narrow abode to speech with the heathen, to 
his judgment seat. And she in her holiness, 
inspired in heart, haled in the devil, the 
heathen one, in bonds. And in his grievous 
plight he began to lament his journey, bewail 



52 



his torment, grieve for his fate, and he said 
unto her: 

" I entreat thee, gracious Juliana, by the 
grace of God, that thou work upon me no fur- 
ther insult or reproach before men than thou 
hast already done, when thou overcamest the 
wisest in the prison shades, the king of the 
dwellers in Hell, in the city of fiends, who is 
our father, the lord of death. Behold thou 
hast afflicted me with painful blows, and in 
truth I know that, before or since, never did I 
meet in the kingdoms of the world a woman 
like unto thee, of more courageous heart, or 
more perverse, of all the race of women. Clear 
is it to me that thou wouldst be in all things 
unashamed in thy wise heart/' 

Then the maid loosed the enemy of souls, 
after his time of punishment, to seek out dark- 
ness in the black abyss, in tormenting distress. 
And he, the announcer of evil, was wiser than 
to tell unto his fellows, the ministers of tor- 
ment, how it befell him upon his journey. 

III. 

He * 5}: * * * gladly praised Him in the 
heavens and His holy work, and said truly 



53 



that He alone had power of all victories 
throughout all creation and of eternal blessed- 
ness. Then came an angel of God, gleaming 
with adornments, and pushed aside the fire and 
freed and protected her who was pure of 
wrong and guiltless, and cast aside the devour- 
ing flame where the holy maid, princess of 
women, stood unharmed in the midst. This 
for the rich man was a sorrow to endure (if 
he might change it before the world), and, 
stained with sin, he sought how he most 
sorely, through the most grievous torture, 
might contrive her death. Nor was the fiend 
too slow who taught him that he should com- 
mand to be made, with wondrous art and the 
noise of battle, an earthen vessel set round 
about with forest trees and wood, and he cruel- 
ly commanded that they fill the earthen jar 
with lead and bid a great fire to be kindled and 
this funeral pile to be inflamed. On all sides 
it was surrounded with brands ; the bath boiled 
with the heat. Then, stirred with anger, he 
bade that she, guiltless and without sin, be 
thrust into the surging of the lead. Then was 
the fire separated and set free ; the lead poured 



54 



forth far and wide, hot and devouring, and 
men were stricken with terror, overtaken by 
its rush. There in number five and seventy 
of the heathen band burned by the blast of the 
flame. 

But the holy maid still stood unharmed in 
beauty ; nor was the hem of her garment, nor 
her robe, nor her hair, nor skin, marked by the 
fire, nor her body, nor limbs. She stood in 
the flames wholly unharmed, and for all gave 
thanks to the Lord of Hosts. Then the judge 
grew savage and fierce at heart; he began to 
tear his robe, he snarled and gnashed his teeth 
and raged in heart even as a wild beast; he 
roared furiously and blasphemed his gods, be- 
cause that they with all their power might not 
withstand the will of a woman. But the maid 
of glory was resolute and unafraid, mindful of 
her powers and of the will of her Lord. Then 
the judge, troubled in heart, bade that she, 
pure in spirit, be put to death by the stroke of 
the sword; that she, the chosen of Christ, 
should lose her head. But this death availed 
him not, when he knew further the event. Then 
was the hope of the maid renewed, and the 
heart of the maiden greatly cheered, when she 



55 



heard men declare their hateful counsel that at 
last the end of her days of strife should come 
and her life be set free. Full of evil he bade 
that the pure and chosen maid, the sinless one, 
be led away to death. Then straightway came 
the vile spirit of Hell, base and wretched, and 
sang a song of misery; that accursed one 
whom she aforetime bound and scourged with 
torments, and full of horrible enchantments he 
cried out before the host : 

" Reward it now with pain that she despised 
the power of our gods and humbled me ex- 
ceedingly, so that I became a traitor. Let her 
obtain generous rewards through the print of 
the sword. Avenge now your ancient hatred, 
ye who are visited with sin. That sorrow I 
remember how I, fast in bonds, in one night 
endured numberless miseries and distress, 
measureless evil." 

Then gazed toward the monster the blessed 
maid Juliana; she heard the devil of Hell 
singing his misery, and the enemy of mankind 
began to steal away in flight, to seek out tor- 
ments, and thus he spake : " Woe is me, un- 
done ! Now comes a mighty expectation that 
once more she will humiliate me in my wretch- 

56 



edness with evil miseries, even as she did 
aforetime/' 

Then she was led nigh unto the border of 
the land, unto the place where they in their 
cruelty purposed through hatred to kill her. 
And she began to teach and to encourage 
the people from their sins unto worship, and 
promised unto them comfort and a path to 
glory and said : 

" Take thought upon the Joy of warriors, 
and the Splendor of glory, the Hope of the 
holy, the God of the angels of Heaven. He 
is so worthy that the nations and all the race 
of angels worship Him in the skies ; the Su- 
preme Power. Help is to be had forever by 
those who will have it ; therefore, dear nation, 
I will righteously teach you that ye make firm 
your house, lest the winds with their breath 
overthrow it. The strong wall shall more 
firmly withstand the blasts of the storm, the 
suggestions of sin. Do ye with love of peace 
and clear belief, stout of heart, set your foun- 
dation upon the Living Stone. Hold in your 
hearts, in desire of mind, true faith and peace 
among yourselves and holy counsels. Then will 
the Almighty Father grant unto you mercy. 



57 



and ye shall have comfort from the God of 
might at your greatest need after your sor- 
rows. And because ye know not your going 
hence, nor the ending of life, unto me it seems 
wise that ye wakefully keep watch against the 
bloody terrors of your foes, lest fighting 
against you they bar your way unto the city 
of God. And do ye entreat the Son of God 
that the Lord of angels, the God of mankind, 
the Giver of victories, be merciful unto me. 
Peace be unto you and true love forever." 

Then by a blow of the sword her soul was 
separated from the body unto its eternal joy. 
And the sinful outrager Eleusius, affrighted 
in heart, put to sea with his band of warriors 
in a ship; for a long time danced across the 
ocean stream on the swan-road. Through 
terrible distresses Death seized upon all this 
company, before they had come to land. 
Thirty-four of the race of men were deprived 
of life in the boiling sea, the servants with their 
lord ; deprived of joy and hopeless, they sought 
out Hell. Nor might the thanes in that dark 
home, the band of retainers in the deep pit, 
look for their appointed treasure at the hands 
of their lord, so that they in the wine-hall, 



58 



upon the beer-bench, should receive rings and 
gold embossed. 

Far otherwise was the body of the holy 
maid borne with son^s o£ praise and a great 
multitude unto its grave in the earth, so that 
a mighty throng brought it within the town. 
There since then, as the years passed by, has 
the praise of God been lifted up among that 
people even unto this day. — There is to me 
great need that this holy one grant me help, 
when the dearest of all things shall depart 
from me ; when the two brothers shall dissolve 
their kinship, their great love. My soul shall 
depart from my body upon a journey, I myself 
know not whither, unto an unknown land. 
From this I shall seek out another land, ac- 
cording to the things which formerly I 
wrought and my deeds which are past. 

Sorrowfully shall depart C. and Y. and N. 
The King will be wroth, the Giver of victories, 
when, stained with sin, E. and W. and U. 
shall await in terror what the Judge shall will 
unto him according to his deeds, as a reward 
for life. L. and F. shall tremble and sorrow- 
fully wait. I shall be mindful of all the pain, 
the wounds of sin, which recently or long ago 



59 



I wrought in the world; so that I weeping 
shall lament with tears. It was too late an 
hour when I first repented of my deeds of evil, 
while spirit and flesh journeyed on together 
unharmed upon the earth. Therefore have I 
need that the holy one plead for me with the 
King of kings. Great sorrow of heart doth 
admonish me of this need. And I pray every 
man of the race of men, who may recite this 
lay, that he eagerly with earnestness of heart 
be mindful of me, according to my name, and 
pray unto God that He, the Ruler of Heaven, 
the Lord of might, grant me help in that day ; 
the Father, the Spirit of comfort, the Judge of 
deeds, and the dear Son, in that dread hour, 
when the Trinity, sitting in glorious unity, for 
the race of mankind throughout the bright 
universe, shall decree to every man a reward 
according to his works. And grant unto us, 
great God, Joy of mankind, that in that great 
hour we find Thy face merciful unto us. 
Amen. 



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THE PRINCETON PRESS 



FEB 241906 



